Mumsnet - Parenting tips

mumsnet : tips : send a tip

 Parenting and Family Life

• Only the very brave wear clothes with no pockets when they take their children out. (tigermoth)
• Take a first aid course. Even if you never use it, you can use the knowledge to gross your kids out. (TheButterflyEffect)
• The only way to deal with the 'arsenic hours' between 5pm and bedtime? Get your partner to come home early and take over, while you hide in the toilet with a bottle of gin. (OoerMissus)
• Buy elderly relatives very sticky toffees for Christmas - it'll shut them up for ages. You may not hear a parenting 'tip' till New Year if you are lucky! (whomovedmychocolatecookie)
• Never give your children jelly at 6pm and expect to be sat on sofa with glass of wine in hand by 7.30pm whilst aforementioned children snooze happily in their beds. (wishingchair)
• Cheap plastic tea sets are much more fun in the bath than expensive bath toys. And they don't get covered in black goo like rubber ducks do, either. (Avendesora)
• Use all that brown paper mail-order companies pad out boxes with to play The Very Hungry Caterpillar with your children. Wrap them up for nearly two weeks, then let them burst out like a beautiful butterfly. (Note: whatever the temptation, don't actually leave them for two weeks.) (crankytwanky)
• Remember: even if you are inwardly gleeful at finally putting the kids to bed, act really boring and yawn copiously while reading their stories. (TheBatterflyEffect)
• Stretch the clothes, NOT the baby. (Booooooooooyhoo)
• Have breadsticks about your person. Always. (GhostlyPixieOnaPumpkin)
• Be warned that safety scissors DO cut hair. Oh yes... (lanismum)
• Put the baby in the car seat and the BLANKET in the boot! (CaptainNonentity)
• Don't buy your slightly OCD 5yo dd pants with the days of the week on. It will only make getting ready for school a nightmare. Thursday pants on a Tuesday, mum? Are you mad? (moodlumthehoodlum)
• Ask your friends to recommend a good locksmith. Then programme all the locksmiths' numbers into your mobile. That way, if you do get locked out on a wet evening at teatime, there's a chance you'll be rescued BEFORE you're forced to let your starving five-year-old do a poo in your own front hedge. (PommePoire)
• When your mother asks, Do you want a piece of advice?, it doesn't matter if you say yes or no - you're going to get it anyway. (NormaSknockers)
• Carry crayons, plasters and antiseptic cream absolutely everywhere you go for at least 10 years after giving birth. (TheCappster)
• Nappy cream BEFORE vapour rub. (Indith)
• Always check the hamster is still in his cage before vaccuuming... (kittymax)
• Don't let your toddler play with your car key. Especially if they are in the car and you are not. (muxlo)
• Never ever think you can nip to the loo when you're nine-month-old's asleep on his playmat. When you get back one minute later, the living room will resemble a warzone. (glasgowlass)
• Pin a badge to your child's school lunchbag so that, if another child has the same one, your child can recognise theirs. (EustaciaVye)
• Show your kids at a early age what great fun a dustpan and brush can be. We have a 'special' one in the kitchen that they can always reach... (flibertyplus2)
• Impress on your older boys that it's actually Dad's help they need when choosing trainers and school shoes... (roisin)
• House full of bored children? Get a box, collect lots of stones from the garden, fill a bowl with water to wash the stones in - and watch as they entertain themselves for an age! (dal21)
• Don't buy a white sofa. (LuckingFibberty)
• Dress your child in bright colours, so you can keep track of them among the havoc and mayhem of the soft play centre. Obviously, it wouldn't work if everyone followed this tip. (whistlejacket)
• If your kids are clamouring for a pet, 'borrow' one from a friend or neighbour for a trial run first. At least then, if the novelty wears off after two nanoseconds, you're not stuck with the smelly creature for the next five years. (liath)
• Don't clean the house too much. The kids will only make it messy again. (iamnotimpressed)
• When your children are small, buy a presentation folder - one of those files with lots of clear plastic sleeves in. Use it to save every 'certificate' they get. My boys are 10 and 12 now and love looking back through the pages and chuckling at their Working towards Duckling 1 swimming badges. (roisin)
• When your child goes on a school day trip send their lunch in a plastic bag, they can then bin it after lunch. (kslatts)
• Keep a couple of plastic chopsticks in your nappy bag. They're exactly the right shape and size for cleaning the (yukkily inevitable) bits of dog poo off the tyre treads of your pram wheels. (annamattandlily)
• Don't toilet-train one child while baby-led weaning the other. (StarlightMcKenzie)
• If you're running out of space to display your children's pictures, stick them on the inside of kitchen cupboard doors. Keeps the rest of the kitchen tidy and makes you smile every time you open the cupboard. (grumpalumpa)
• Instead of trying to talk over noisy children, take a sharp intake of breath and dramatically say: Can you hear that? Silence is golden! (Tachandcharlie)
• When you're taking your buggy on the bus, always turn it around, so it's facing outwards, and then encourage your child to smile and wave at everyone else on the bus. That way, grannies will entertain your little one for the entire journey, while you leaf through Heat/look out of the window. (wobbegong)
• Let your kids swap rooms for a (weekend) night. They find it incredibly exciting and can be made to do all sorts of disagreeable things on the back of it. Like tidy everything away first... (Mousie)
• If your washing machine has seen better days and needs a good cleansing then fill the soap drawer with lemon juice and set to rinse, twice. This leaves it smelling and looking like new. (Ewe)
• Crochety baby? Hold them in your arms and get hula-hooping on the Wii - guaranteed to calm them down! Do not do this with an actual hula-hoop, obviously. (dilbertina)
• Put baby socks into laundry tablet net bags to wash them, so you don't get odd socks eaten by the washing machine! (juliejesta)
• Always keep a secret hidden emergency spare pair of socks for each child - for those mornings when they find the sock monster has eaten every single pair in their drawers. (Wallace)
• If you have a favourite vase, don't put it in the back of the cupboard just out of your toddler's reach and forget about it. Toddlers grow. (singalongamumum)
• Simply pop a pair of dungarees over the top of an all-in-one suit on your baby, and hey presto! ready to go out and no trauma of getting changed! (bealos)
• Do not allow your children to pick bunches of daisies and dandelions and bring them into the house. Your house will smell of wee. (CharCharGabor)
• If you're keen to get your child to play an instrument but are a bit hard up, don't forget there are a lot of brass bands around who will provide an instrument and teaching for free. (dalek999)
• To get your children's undivided attention, either go for a really tricky poo or get on the phone to your snippy accountant or attempt to cook something very fiddly for which you need a recipe book. Never fails! (Megglevache)
• Never expect anything to be perfect! Pregnancy, labour, wedding... whatever it is, just go with the flow. And remember, it's actually the little hiccups that make events memorable. (sarah1987Xx)
• Even if you don't live close enough to school to walk all the way, find somewhere to park/get off the bus early so they have a chance to get a bit of fresh air and exercise before being closed up in a class room for the day. It made a huge difference for my kids. (naomicm)
• The contents of your saucepan cupboard will always be far more entertaining to a toddler than a playroom full of toys (FrazzledFairyFay)
• Take a 'team photo' of all the kids at your child's birthday party with a digital camera - and use it to make thank you cards for the birthday presents. (puddle)
• Make a list or spreadsheet of what you buy other people's children and what yours were given for birthdays and Christmas - and keep it for a few years. Saves time and potential embarrassment if (like me) you 'recycle' ideas for presents. (stealthsquiggle)
• Get your child to learn your mobile number. We lost my son recently in a crowd and we were only reunited because he asked another adult to call me. (monty)
• Kids can Hoover! (mumofgirls)
• If your child manages to step in chewing gum (or get some in their hair), try rubbing the area with an ice cube. It removes it very quickly! (sylvev)
• Hard pressed to find time to exercise? Do a fitness dvd and get the kids to join in. If they get bored, they can give you marks out of 10 for how well you're doing. (Goldberry)
• Get the kids into the festive spirit by writing and decorating their letter to Santa. Get out the pens and glitter to make the letter really sparkle!
• During the cold winter months, let the shampoo/bodywash bottle (closed!) float in the bathwater for a few minutes before using the product on your child. (Marina)
• Out somewhere your kids might get lost? Write your mobile number on their arms and tell them that if they do get lost they should find a woman with children and ask her to ring it. (Wickedwaterwitch)
• Keep a brush (from a dustpan and brush) on the front door step to brush the dead leaves and mud off the wheels of the buggy before you bring it indoors. (LadyTophamHatt)
• Keep a journal of all the wonderful things your children come up with and when they said them. You think you'll remember them but, in reality, you don't and it's so lovely to read back their little gems of wisdom (or otherwise). (Wombat)
• If your toddler is prone to taking his nappy off, put the nappy on back to front and if that doesn't work place a piece of clear sellotape on the tear strips at the side. (Marinamim)
• Keep a stash of £5 and £10 book tokens as emergency birthday/graduation/thank you presents - they suit almost everyone! (renaldo)
• On days out, put your child in bright clothing so you can spot them easily in a crowd. (dmo)
• When your toddler starts wearing shoes, write your phone number inside so that when they get lost you'll get a call. (Nicolawimble)
• Got a toddler? Don't bother tidying up - ever. It's only going to get messy again instantly... (MaeBee)
• Keep spare sun hats and a bottle of suncream in the car - that way you won't get caught out if the sun decides to appear! (PussinJimmyChoos)
• Don't be tempted to let your children use glitter at home, ever. Unless of course you enjoy hoovering the dog. (Debris)
• When in doubt, chocolate and wine are ALWAYS the answer. (SexyMilf)
• When you tuck your child into bed at night ask them what the best part of their day was. It helps to end the day on a warm note for you both. (blisscake)
• For children too young to handle pocket money, start your own 'shop' at home. They can earn points (beads or similar) for good behaviour and exchange them for little treats. (estar)
• Don't worry too much if none of your tips ever get chosen as 'Tip of the Day'. It is not a reflection on your parenting ability - it just means you're a bit boring and mainstream. (HumphreyCushion)
• Whether you have problems with teenagers or toddlers, remember that all phases pass. Live for the day and try not to worry about tomorrow's problems. (emilyj)
• Never bounce a just-fed baby over your head. Baby sick in one's mouth is deeply unpleasant. (SheikYerbouti)
• Don't allow your child to become seriously attached to one toy; we did and lost 'bear' today. We're going to be stuffed at bedtime tonight... (SheRa)
• Every child should have access to a guinea pig. They're the answer to most of the problems in life. Unless, of course, the child is allergic to guinea pigs, in which case they should have access to some form of wooden rodent. (Bettenoire)
• Little ones getting under your feet when you're trying to get supper? Get out wooden spoons, plastic utensils and a pot and let them play the drums while you cook. (storm35)
• If you have children of different ages, buy them different coloured socks. It makes it much easier to identify who gets which socks when sorting them after washing. (Stitch)
• If your child isn't keen on walks, try turning it into a collecting walk. We take a carrier bag for collecting fir cones, stange shaped leaves etc and stick them into a scrap book (made of plain paper stapled together) when we get home. (wickedwaterwitch)
• Don't believe it when you are told plastic scissors can't cut anything... my two-year-old re-styled my one-year-old's hair. (Nemoandthefishes)
• Add some white vinegar to the conditioner compartment when machine washing cloth nappies. It will stop soap build up, keep nappies softer and stop them smelling of wee! (jojo76)
• At birthday parties, take photos of your child with each of the guests . If you can manage it, get your child to hold their guest's present too. That way, you don't have to worry about who bought what for your thank you notes (and you can always send a pic as a thank you!) (biza)
• As a parent I've come to realise spare batteries are vital. Right from the Tens machine in labour (yes, you may need another set) to every single toy at birthdays and Christmas. (largeginandtonic)
• Cheap hand-held hoovers are perfect for cleaning up crumbs after the kids - and quickly tidying high traffic areas to give that 'Domestic Goddess' impression to visitors! (PussinJimmyChoos)
• Now's a great time to siphon off presents that the kids haven't touched yet. Stow them away for a rainy day or when the stuff that's being used now is exhausted. (Lionheart)
• Instead of using baby wipes, fold 2 kitchen towels into 4 and soak with water. You can make a huge pile of them, store them in a resealable sandwich bag and they stay moist and work brilliantly. They are perfect for newborns if you want to avoid scented/soapy wipes and work a million times better than cotton wool and water. (Fluffsuptheduff)
• Stock up on toys/games/craft kits now in the January sales. You will be so grateful for them, come the February half-term holidays when the weather is rubbish. (filthymindedvixen)
• Put a couple of fitted sheets on your baby's mattress at once. If the top one is messed in the night, you can just wip the top one off without having to start making the bed from scratch. (HEB7)
• Fill a small photo album with pictures of your child and their family and friends. There's nothing a small child enjoys more than looking at familiar faces. (Thomcat)
• If you have a hard floor in your kitchen or play area, use a cheap double duvet as a play mat. They are a generous size and the cover is easily washed. (Croppy)
• Give toys a new lease of life by rearranging the toy cupboard. By putting things in different containers (and throwing out the junk) it's amazing how everything seems new and fresh. (Batey)
• Tie a knot in the cloth you keep in the kitchen for wiping faces and hands. It's easier and cheaper than buying two different coloured cloths. (TheGoddessBlossom)
• Get the kids to make a toboggan out of a plastic bag or a tray and watch them whiz about in the snow - if we’re lucky enough to get some this year!
• Have a games session with the family to keep everyone occupied - play traditional games like cards, pictionary or charades, and create a Christmas quiz with a prize for the winner!
• Have a competition in your family to see who can make the best fairy to put on top of the Christmas tree!
• Get your friends and family together to learn the parts to all your favourite carols. Then you can go carol singing in your local area - a lovely way to spread the festive cheer. Perhaps you could raise money for a charity?
• Go out walking to find festive leaves like mistletoe and holly. Stick onto coloured card for homemade organic Christmas cards. Paint the leaves silver or gold before you stick them on - you can also use leaves to make a wreath for your door.
• Have a flick through all your magazines and tear out the really colourful pages - like all those bright Christmas-themed adverts - to recycle it into wrapping paper that is a little different and good for the planet! Works well for small gifts.
• If a piece/the rules goes missing from your board games, try contacting the manufacturer for a replacement. Many have a ready supply of items for popular games and can supply them for a small fee or even for free. (ImdreamingofaGROUCHYxmas)
• Even if your baby doesn't really need a hair cut, take them from an early age for a very slight trim regularly to get them used to the sensation. (pucca)
• Always fasten bibs before you put them in the washing machine or the velcro will stick to random clothes and make them all bobbly. (EspeciallyForYou)
• When you've finally built a wooden track for your dc trains that works, take a picture, print it out and keep it safe to use as a guide for when they next have it out. Saves a heap of time and frustration! (Aero)
• Make tiding up toys before bed a fun 'game' that you play together from a very young age - a little effort now pays dividends later. (Karly)
• If you frequently visit non-child-friendly houses of relatives/friends - leave a small tub of old toys/colouring pad etc for when you visit. Bit cheeky but worth it! (LemonTart)
• Turn your outdoor UV play tent into a living room den. Fill with snuggly rugs, cushions and teddies... so you can rest while still playing with your toddler! (Sixofone)
• If you live away from your family, make a special photo album for your toddler with pictures of your mum, dad, sisters, etc. My sons love looking at the pictures. (BlueberryPancake)
• Lego fits beautifully in 'tool' boxes - they've got loads of compartments to sort the bits into, and they're cheap too. (roisin)
• Keep the plastic packets (the ones with popper fastenings) that vests and small kiddies tops come in. They're great for keeping wipes, mucky stuff etc in when you're out and about. (MummyPenguin)
• Keep a swimming bag ready for each of your children (and yourself!) containing towel, costume, hairbrush, shampoo and money for the locker. Then if the mood takes you you can just grab the bags and go! (miaou)
• When moving your toddler to a new 'big bed', turn the duvet round cross-ways,and tuck it under both sides of the bed. He's less likely to either kick the covers off or to fall out of bed! (novacane)
• Each year, around their birthday, take your child to a photo booth - fascinating to see how they change, from baby to teenager. (tearinghairout)
• Store packets of baby wipes upside down so that the 'juice' spreads through the whole pack and you don't have half a pack of dry wipes to start with. (midnightexpress)
• Baby wipes are the best thing for wiping up wayward drips of paint when you're decorating. (mumbleboo)
• After decorating, keep a spare pot of tester paint handy to touch up those sticky finger marks and pieces of wall 'art' you don't want! (poppyh)
• If your daughter likes ribbons in her hair, tie them on a normal bobble first - it makes keeping them in and tying them much easier. (hulababy)
• When your baby is yelling, pop her into a bouncy chair and hoover. The white noise may send her off to sleep, but if not, at least you have a clean floor! (Bramshott)
• When planning your family, space the birth of your children in such a way that they always fall in the same sock-size range. Then always buy them plain black socks. That way, sorting washed socks into pairs will be a doddle. (MuddlingThrough)
• Giving out pocket money on Sunday evening maximises your bargaining power with your children through the weekend. (Tigermoth)
• Accept that the parents of your children's school friends will not automatically seek out your friendship. They may simply be too busy or have enough friends already, so don't take it personally. (tigermoth)
• Always keep a back-up bag in the car: wipes, nappies, clothes, jars of food etc. You never know when you'll need it. (Weegle)
• For the first year, take a photo of your baby on the same day every month with a big teddy. It's great to see how much they grow. (Radira)
• Always keep a packet of balloons in the house. They never fail to entertain and are great for burning off energy on a rainy afternoon. (IAmBlossom)
• If your child always answers, 'Fine' to the question, 'How was school?', try asking them what the best and worst bits of their day were. You'll find out much more. (Cecilia)
• Give the kids the digital camera on your next day out ad let them take the pictures - they love it and you can see things from their viewpoint too. (shouldbedoingsomethingelse)
• For those with relatives further afield, a webcam is a perfect to allow them to see your baby growing. Ours really look forward to our webchats. (ScampisMom)
• Always take wipes out with you. It's a no-brainer. (Oliveoil)
• Keep a second set of cleaning stuff upstairs (e.g. spray polish/loo wipes) so you can have a quick clean in a spare minute without having to go and get all the gear. (ediemccreedie)
• On a rainy afternoon, delve deep to the bottom of the toybox to find the toys that haven't been played with for while! Playing new games with old toys will usually keep them quiet for a couple of hours. (Kbear)
• Do not be tempted to believe your husband when he says he will a) wear a baby sling and b) do night feeds. He won't. (TheHighwayCod)
• Use clothes pegs to peg childrens' pictures up on a line across their rooms. You can rotate these as they bring more pictures home. (wickedwaterwitch)
• Take digital photos of your child's artwork and then you don't have to keep it all. We use some of ours as a screen saver. (madmarchhare)
• Decant jigsaws into clear zip-lock bags to keep pieces safe and take up less room. Cut out the picture from the box and keep it inside with the pieces. (bucketsofburntdinosaurs)
• Distract an older child when nursing her sibling with a game. Try "find me something in the bedroom that is blue/red" etc. (hana)
• When sitting on a public loo, don't let your toddler anywhere near the automatic flush sensor... (SaintHunkerOfMunker)
• When washing bibs with a velcro fastening, make sure they're fastened before going into the machine. They'll last longer and won't lose their 'stickiness'. (Aero)
• A collage of baby congratulations cards in a large frame makes a lovely, low-cost and unique piece of art for your baby's room. (Wilbur)
• Don't sweat the petty things... and don't pet the sweaty things. (Helenahandcart)
• Be relaxed about parenting, because the alternative is to get stressed about it and still not be able to change anything! (Hunkermunker)
• To distract and calm a baby during nappy changes, place a mirror alongside your changing table. (ocd)
• Wash your child's teddy in the same fabric conditioner as his bedding...if he gets upset when you're out, his teddy will smell familiar and comfort him. (ruthdotcom)
• Make up a timetable of one or two activities (and a bad weather back-up list) to do on each day of the summer holidays. It saves wasting time wondering what to do next. (linso)
• When struggling with two or more small children each day, make sure that you're showered and dressed before your partner leaves for work - it may be your only chance! (Ladymuck)
• If your child won't have their fringe cut at the hairdressers, let him where a pair of sunglasses - keeps the hair from going in his eyes. (lexiemum)
• Although Crayola scissors will barely cut paper, they will cut hair. Be warned! (Ledodgyherring)
• Keep an emergency rations pack in your handbag - box of raisins, calpol sachet, antiseptic wipe and dummy (if yours uses one) - for those times when you get caught on the hop with a toddler. (Ja9)
• Don't let your child run round the garden carrying a 6' bamboo pole. It's bound to end in tears. (SoupDragon)
• Accept that on some evenings, your children will go to bed too late, you will eat junk food and your house will be a complete shambles. You can't follow a perfect routine all the time nor should you. (tigermoth)
• To remove Sudocrem from the carpets, dilute lemon juice in hot water and gently use a scourer to lift it out. (mummyhill)
• When children have to share something edible, operate the rule that whoever cuts it gets last choice of the pieces. It's amazing how accurate their division becomes. (cat64)
• Be happy and your children will follow suit, as they love to copy you! (giggles04)
• To get your child to keep their room tidy, divide it up into small areas and assign each area a different day of the week. This stops the job being overwhelming and gives her a place to start. (JustUs2)
• Keep an empty biscuit tin in a cupboard and fill it with 'interesting things' - toilet rolls, junk mail, freebies - which can be pulled out at a moments notice to entertain little ones. (joolsw)
• If you'd like to introduce your toddler to classical music, try ballet scores. Not surprisingly, they're fun to dance to! (acnebride)
• Get crayon and pencil marks of painted walls with hairspray. Spray a little on the mark and wipe gently with a damp clean cloth. Even works on water based wall paint. (BagelBird)
• Use baby wipes to remove small amounts of baby sick/ dribble/ milk from sofas and carpets. They work brilliantly. (anon)
• If your child hates having his hair washed, use wads of cotton wool that he can hold on his eyes during washing and then play with afterwards - my two like to play 'snowballs' throwing them at the tiles round the bath. (puddle)
• Play-doh does come off carpets! Just leave it to dry, then when it's really crumbly use a suede or nail brush and vacuum up the bits. (elliebird)
• Keep a clean swing-bin under the stairs for old artwork. If the kids ask for one of their 'treasures' before the bin is emptied (about every three months), it can always be retrieved. (Fauve)
• My 3 year old daughter's favourite tip is Brush my teeth BEFORE you wash my face, then you don't have to wash it again. Makes perfect sense. (BearintheBigBlueHous)
• For toddlers who hate face washing, buy a character wash mit and make it a puppet who gives them kisses. They'll giggle their way through it! (keljbj)
• I always get the children to help write the shopping list on our way shopping, it is half hour drive,keeps them busy, helps with writing and spelling skills and gives them an interest in looking for the items once we get there. (tabbaz)
• To avoid tears after swimming, leave the goggles on while you shampoo your child's hair. (beachbaby)
• Keep a parenting diary. I update mine anything from daily to three monthly - depending on how hard the going is. It's wonderful to look back on and reminds me that everything is just a phase. It'll also be fun reading for the children when they're older! (Mousie)
• Having trouble with keeping baby entertained while changing nappies? Put a sticker on their hand and they will be too busy trying to take it off to notice what you are doing. (stargirl)
• After buying packs of wipes, store them upside down. The moisture then filters back through the pack and even the first wipe you use is moist rather than dry compared to the bottom ones! (CarolWV)
• When your child develops a serious attachment to a favourite toy - buy an identical one. That way, if the first toy gets lost it can be immediately replaced and they're none the wiser. (Lapochka)
• Put together a car kit of all your essentials, change of clothes, nappy's, wipes, bibs, feeding spoons, what ever you might leave home without - then you'll always have a spare when you need it. (Harrizeb)
• If you're baffled by the number of odd socks you accumulate then opt for one colour and no patterns. It may be a tad dull but could save you from hours of sock hunting. (Monty)
• Buy a small pack of coloured stickers to keep in your wallet - when your child becomes bored you can surprise / distract them by producing one. (Nickers)
• Trying to get house work doneand the kids driving you mad? Give them a room each and a handful of baby wipes and they'll spend at least half an hour cleaning anything and everything. (magnolia)
• If you're always late getting you and your children ready in the morning, set all clocks and watches ten minutes fast. It works for us (sort of!) (Tigermoth)
• Use spare photos to make simple baby books. Glue the pics onto pieces of card, cover with sticky back plastic and attatch together with string or wool at the sides. Babies will love to look at photos of themselves, family members and favourite toys. (oxocube)
• Through trial and error, I now try to keep one day each weekend free of set arrangement so the children have a rest after a busy week at school and we all have time to relax together. (tigermoth)
• Chose your child's clothes with them the night before and leave them out. Our nearly three year old has even dressed himself before coming in to wake us up! It saves morning time and helps avoid tantrums. (HEB7)
• If you have a bidet in your bathroom it makes an excellent baby bath - just the right size height. (Cod)
• Tuck baby-wipes into the collar when your kids are having their hair cut - it helps stop hairs getting down the neck and feels comfy when used to pick up trimmed hairs. (Badger7)
• If your toddler is scared of getting a haircut at a salon, try suggesting that they wear their own apron - a sleeved art apron will be more comfortable and familiar. tuck baby-wipes into the collar - helps stop hairs getting down the neck, and feels comfy when used to pick up trimmed hairs. (Badger7)
• Don't lose little baby socks in the washing machine, put them in a laundry bag where they'll all stay together. (purpleturtle)
• Use baby oil on cotton wool to remove the non-permanant tatoos that kids love to put on. That way you don't have to scrub in the bath. (Kayleigh)
• As your children get older introduce "personal time". My girls have half an hour every day to themselves when they can listen to a CD, read a book or do homework without anyone interrupting them. It's helped lessen the family arguments. (jle30)
• When having a grown up occasion such as a big birthday party or wedding etc. do a separate party for the children. Hire in a bouncy castle or a magician and get someone to supervise - the grown-ups get plenty time to enjoy themselves without children and the children have a much better time. (Soapbox)
• To cut down on laundry, a quick rub with a babywipe usually makes a slightly grubby school sweatshirt presentable for another day. (Roisin)
• Keep each child's swimming kit in their own bag. As soon as the kit is dry, make sure it goes straight back in the bag. This saves scrabbling around for everyone's goggles, costume, towel etc, or worse still, arriving at the pool to discover you've left something crucial at home. (Mrs Twit)
• Save the little drawstring nets that you get with washing powder tablets - they are great for keeping tiny socks and scratch mits toegther in the washing machine and tumble drier. (Titania)
• A good mother is a teacher, not a servant. (Anorak)
• Get a dustbuster - a rechargeable, hand-held vacuum cleaner. It makes cleaning up after messy play or messy eating much easier, and the children love it so they happily help with the cleaning up as well! (Prettycandles)
• To remove stubborn stains from kids' clothes, use washing up liquid and a nail brush on them before putting them in the washing machine - they come up lovely and clean. (kid)
• If you are expecting a baby and have an older child, wrap some presents from the baby to be presented to the siblings when they first meet them. It takes the attention away from the baby and gives the siblings something very positive to focus on. (eyelash)
• If you're worried about bathing your baby buy one of the bath cradles that you put in the big bath and lie the baby on. You then have two hands free and don't have to struggle. (JulieF)
• Tell your child off in front of their friends if you have to, but think carefully about what you say if you don't want your child to be teased by their friends after you have left. (Tigermoth)
• Never get rid of toys and games children have had a craze on, like pokemon cards or beyblades. You can bet as soon as you do, your children will rediscover their craze and they will have to start collecting all over again. (Tigermoth)
• Use swimming goggles when washing your child's hair to keep water and soap out of their eyes. You can also stick stars on the ceiling for them to look at to encourage them to keep their heads tilted back. (sibble)
• Keep a tub of baking soda handy for eliminating smells from baby sick. Either sprinkle onto the affected area and vacume off later, or dissolve a little in some water and dab on with a cloth. (TummyA)
• If you need to get wax off the carpet then get a brown paper bag, put it over the offending mark, heat up your iron, then iron over the mark. Removes wax, chewing gum, all sorts! (Bacardiandcoke)
• Keep a book and can of something to drink in the car for those rare moments when your toddler dozes off on the way home and getting them out would spoil the peace and tranquillity. (Bron)
• When buying clothes for children, ignore the label sizing. It varies so much from make to make. Instead, take along some old clothes that fit your child and measure the new clothes against them. (tigermoth)
• Buy a second kettle for making up formula feeds - otherwise you will always be waiting for the water to cool and you'll never get your cuppa when you want one. (BearintheBigBlueHous)
• If you're trying to cut down the amount of time your kids play on the PC, buy a remote control mouse and keyboard then you can confiscate them and stop them going back on when your back is turned. (Codswallop)
• Save all those annoying little drawstring nets you get with the washing powder tablets...they are perfect for keeping things like little socks and gloves together in the washing machine. No more sock monster eating one sock in the machine! (Busybee3)
• If your child wakes up with a head like one of the hair bear bunch use L'oreal Tangle Tamer Spray - a few squirts and a quick blast of the hairdryer later and hello smooth, shiny locks. (Twinkie)
• If your children argue when sharing food, always let one child cut or divide whatever the item is (i.e. piece of cake, chocolate, drink etc.) and let the other child choose which one they would like. You'll see some remarkably precise cutting and there'll be no more arguing! (clark4)
• To keep little ones entertained on a rainy day get the photos out of when they were smaller, they love to hear tales of when they were babies or see where they have visited. (layla)
• The UK has the highest rates of advertising to children in Europe. (Mori poll for NFPI (2003))
• In this horrible wet winter weather bringing the pram in doors is a nightmare because of the dirty wheels. I leave an old brush (from a dustpan and brush set) on the front step and always brush the wheels off outside - so no muddy wheel marks across the carpet. (Emmatmg)
• To avoid disappointing our son when he wants to wait up for his Dad to return from work, they leave each other little notes to read before bed and for his dad to read when he gets in from work. (emmatg)
• Allow your newborns's older siblings to be actively involved in caring for them. My son sits and reads books with his little sister. It gives him a sense of responsibility towards her as well as being something that he can feel proud about. (StressyHead)
• If at all possible, don't plan more than one car journey a day over the Xmas holiday. It sounds great to catch up with long lost friends, but we learnt from experience that the novelty soon wears off for children who just want to be at home playing with their new stuff. (Cll)
• Buy a set of plastic drawers for your child's toys. Have one draw for toy cars, one for art equipment, etc. Everything packs away neatly at the end of the day and if you're visiting a non-child house, all you've got to do is pull a drawer out to take with you. (EmmaM)
• When washing your toddler's hair, get them to hold a flannel over their face -stops soap getting in the eyes and adds to the fun! (Nisnat)
• If your dear child has stuck stickers everywhere and you wish to remove them -spray the sticker with furniture polish, leave for a few minutes and then wipe off with a damp cloth. (podmog)
• Don't run the bath away until the last tiny tot is in bed...there's plenty of opportunity for getting dirty again between bath and bed and you may well wish you had kept the water for a final quick dip! (jasper)
• If your child's shampoo bottle is kept on a chilly bathroom windowsill, pop the closed bottle into the bathwater with the child, to take the chill of the contents before use. (Marina)
• Accept that no matter which way you plan to raise your child your mum/mum-in-law will always know better! Sometimes it's just not worth battling -just smile, accept their advice and if you don't agree, forget it. (bethscott)
• Save your kids birthday cards for cutting and sticking on rainy days. (jona)
• Try a bucket of water and a paint brush for water painting on the patio. My kids love it and you can leave them safe in the knowledge that they can't do any harm! (Sam76)
• Buy cheap cotton wool balls at your pound shop. Also see what other baby products they stock. You may be surprised! (tigermoth)
• Keep a small box in the boot of the car at all times full of emergency supplies like a hand towel, small pack of face wipes, spare socks, bottled water, mars bars, carrier bag, crayons, pad of paper etc. They're only small things but have proved vital for us at times! (nikkistott)
• Rather than inundating your child with all their birthday presents, take a few away and bring them out throughout the year so your child always has something new to play with. (Thomcat)
• Never iron your kids t'shirts! Simply lie a dry t'shirt out on a flat surface and with firm strokes of the palm smooth across the material. Fold and repeat and then put away! (beckyi)
• Avoid hundreds of odd pairs of baby socks by saving the small net bags you get with washing tablets and put the socks in these to wash. (karenfev)
• Where possible, stop what you're doing to listen to your kids when they have something to tell you. It makes them feel that you are actually listening! (jdonbavand)
• Always get your children's school clothes, shoes, hair bands, PE kits and book bags ready the night before. Then when those unplanned time-consuming things happen you will still be ready on time. (Cas)
• Always in a rush on the way to school? Why not load up your car the night before. I always put my sons packed school bag and my daughters nursery bag in the car the night before. (sb34)
• To help keep children amused in the summer - keep any kitchen-cleaner-type spray bottles; give them a really good wash out and then fill with water for the ultimate in water spraying fun in the garden! (Finbar)
• I fold a couple of sheets of kitchen roll up lengthways about four times when nappy changing and place them underneath baby at about waist level. Folding it lengthways provides the correct width for the change mat and stops any leakage at the sides. It's a life saver. (Blondie)
• When out for the day, stick a tag on your child with your mobile phone number. No-one thinks they will lose their child, but better to be easily contactable than to spend time panicking! (madlinda)
• Entertain your baby in his highchair by putting ice cubes and a few drops of food colouring in a zip up freezer bag and watch him enjoy pressing and pushing it around on his tray. (chablis)
• Keep track of your children in a crowed place by buying them a cheap and loud electronic toy - something that will keep their interest for a while. Give it to them when you are in the crowd. You will then be able to hear your children even if they dodge are out of sight for a moment (tigermoth)
• Take towelling dressing-gowns to the beach and swimming pool. That way the children can get warm and dry in half the time and leave you free to get yourself ready (binza)
• I clean the bathroon while my three year old son is in the bath. This means I'm supervising his bath and doing something useful at the same time. Of course I don't clean the bath while he is in it, this is done after he has gone to bed, but at least the bulk of it has been done beforehand. (atomicblonde)
• Give the toys a new lease of life by rearranging toy box/cupboard. Put things in different containers etc, and they'll start playing with things afresh. (batey)
• To cope with the long holidays from (pre) school, we worked out a programme with my four year old and set out what we were going to do each day. This stopped the 'I want to do painting, gluing, sticking, play doh' every other minute as she knew we would be doing all her favorite activities at some point during the week. (Carriel)
• If you're always in a rush on the way to school load up the car the night before. I always put my children's school bags in the car the night before (or at least in the locked porch) so there's less to worry about and nothing to forget. I also put in my son's shoes and socks so he can put them on in the way, useful for very bad mornings! (sb43)
• If your child has lots of jigsaw puzzles, try putting little coloured stickers on the back, so when they get mixed up, it is easy to sort. (breeze)
• Dress your children in bright colours if you're going to a crowded place. That way you can easily spot them. (Rhiannon)
• If you're unsure of whether a film is suitable for your child, go and see it yourself first so that you can decide and it's also handy as so you can talk your child through any bits he may find frightening. This worked well for us during Harry Potter recently (Rhiannon)
• If you're a two car family keep a baby bag in both cars. I keep nappies, wipes, and a change of clothes in both so I am never out without the bare necessities. (mommyuk)
• Remember to update the contents of your baby's changing bag regularly. I recently had to change my baby (almost one year)and found that the only clean clothes in the bag were age 3 - 6 months and the nappies were two sizes too small! (oxocube)
• A useful way to attach small toys to a buggy, or children's artwork to a board is to invest in a strip of self-adhesive velcro, sticking small squares onto the wall/buggy etc. and the corners of the pictures, toys, photographs. A child can then add or remove items easily, and the velcro stays in place beautifully (unlike blu-tac). (FrancesJ)
• When putting your child's artwork on the walls, use a tiny blob of toothpaste rather than blu-tac as it does not pull wallpaper off when removing and can just be wiped off. (Cas)
• Lego goes beautifully in 'tool' boxes - they've got loads of compartments to sort the bits into, and they're cheap too. My boys play with their Lego even longer since we got the boxes. (KMG)
• Dress your children in bright colours if you're going to a crowded place. That way you can easily spot them. (Rhiannon)
• Nappies are excellent for mopping up coffee and red wine spills on carpets. (Twinkletoes321)
• For a messy nappy change fasten the crotch poppers of a vest/bodysuit over the shoulder, to keep all the clothes out of the way. (kmg)
• When your budding body artist scribbles over themselves with biro, use eye make-up remover to get it off easily (Clinique clarifying lotion works too!) (babster)
• I find that early evenings, when I get home from work tired and everyone needs feeding, can be really stressful. One idea is to put on some music and let the children dance whilst you sing along and cook tea. (Candy)
• Keep your change/travel bag by the door, and re-stock it when you come back from a trip, so it is always ready for action. (KMG)
• When washing soft toys in the washing machine, put them inside a pillow case to give added protection. Pillow cases are also useful for washing loose knitted items to prevent pulls and spoiling. (PamT)
• Have ten minutes of personal quiet time every day. Sit and think about what you love about your life, what you enjoyed about the day before or what you're grateful for. Sip your favourite morning drink, do some wake-up stretches and think about three things you want to achieve (staying calmer/being positive etc). I've been doing this for eight weeks and it's made a huge difference - worth getting up early for! (Kaelle)
• If your child has a favourite toy to go to bed with, make sure you stock up with a couple of spares - if it gets lost or needs washing you won't have so much stress at bedtime. (LJay)
• If your baby won't keep still during a nappy change, try giving her a small torch to play with and perhaps turning the lights out to make it more exciting. Keep the torch just for changes to extend the novelty. (bloss)
• Try to have one meal a day with the family all sitting round a table together without the television being on. It's amazing what you find out about each other. (wendymann)
• As soon as you get a pack of photos back from the developers write a rough date and description on the back. It's amazing how quickly you forget where and when they were taken and indeed which baby they were taken of. (hmonty)
• I wasn't going to bother with a bouncy chair as I couldn't see the point, but in the end it's been used to bounce the baby to sleep, prevent my very young baby from laying flat after a feed, as a feeding chair when first starting to wean and with a play gym to entertain and restrain. Plus it's washable and can be dismantled and put away for the next baby. And to think I nearly didn't buy it! (JANESWAINE)
• Having got everything ready for my son to paint in the garden, he spent the whole time painting my patio with water from the bucket I got out for him to clean his hands. It's free, non staining and if we're lucky enough to have a hot day, dries really quickly for him to start again! We haven't bothered with the paints since. (Bron)
• If your child won't stay still while having his nappy changed try giving him a book to read - works for my sixteen month old son.... maybe adults aren't the only ones who like to read on the loo! (absf)
• Before you put new shoes on a child put potato peel in the shoes and then put the shoes in a brown bag overnight. This ensures they don't get blisters. (gingerwinger)
• When packing up a house to move, keep a pack of felt tip pens or crayons handy. My two were busy for ages colouring on the boxes and the huge sheets of packing paper. They hardly noticed their toys disappearing around them! (Hilary)
• If you can't get a second to yourself with a new baby beg, borrow or buy a swing chair. I got one when my son was three weeks old because he just wouldn't lie down and I had to hold and nurse him constantly.The swing meant I could at last have a hot cup of coffee. (leander)
• Listen to your child. Even if it's about something boring (to you), try to pick out one item of interest and ask a specific question back. That way your child will know you're listening, will feel pleased and valued, and in time, this will boost self confidence.
• Make sure your child's favourite toy/blanket/comforter is easily replaceable, better still buy in bulk. It will save hours of agonised searching.
• Give your child her own set of shiny, metal keys. That way you won't spend hours hunting for yours in the flower beds. (Same goes for telephones. An old, real one is much preferred to a plastic toy.)
• Buy lots of small toy boxes rather than one big one and label them (with pictures too so your child can understand) as musical toys, dolls, lego etc. That way it's easier to find something and you can make packing away into a sorting game.
• Setting aside at least 15 uninterrupted minutes per child per day to talk, play a game, or take a walk together, lets her know you care. Say, "I love you." Nothing will make your child feel better. (ruthie)
• When wrapping up pass the parcel for toddler parties, make a list of the pressies as you go, then you can match the prize to the child. It's also worth having lots of bottles of bubbles handy for a hasty wrap if more guests than expected turn up!
• Don't go for one big toybox - you'll never find anything! We have a small box in each room in the house. It means there is always somewhere handy to dump toys and because they only have a small number of toys in each, my children find it easy to find the toys they want.
• I rotate my children's toys. I keep a box or two hidden and every month or so bring them out and put some others away. (QD)
• Take some familiar bath toys when you go swimming for the first time with your baby. It makes them less nervous. (Celeste)
• Sort your big toy box in a number of different see-through plastic containers (large tupperwares). We discovered loads of toy cars at the bottom which had been forgotten about and now we can see where everything is. (SarahO)
• Toddlers' shoe boxes make great storage boxes. I cover them with bright wrapping paper, label them and fill with crayons, playdoh cutters or my son's farm animals etc. (Florence)
• Don't worry - they start to become human around the age of 22 (. joannie)
• If you are having trouble tracking down a popular toy in the shops try the auction web sites (such as ebay.co.uk). We recently successfully bid on a much promised but impossible to get hold of Thunderbird One. (hmonty)
• Plastic boxes with lids and wheels (the kind you get from DIY stores) make excellent sandpits. They are compact, can be sealed and can be moved around easily. (katherine)
• Think twice before saying "no". Is the washing up really more important than listening to your child/ going on a bike ride etc? (jules3)
• Store lego pieces - sorted out however your child prefers- in a selection of small tupperware-type containers. The lids are very secure and the containers stack up neatly (. TigerMoth)
• Two children very close together in age? Buy them 'shared' big toys at christmas that they can play with together. E.g kitchen sets, shops, wendy house, dual swing, see saw etc. (Joyce)
• If your toddler has an obsession with telephones but no interest in toy ones, get them a real phone. The cheapest phones cost less than some toy phones and they'll think they're playing with something forbidden. (Herman)
• A friend passed on a push along helicopter to my son. Before he was walking it was very popular - now, as a toddler, its an absolute favourite! Whether its a push along duck or a cheerful plastic helicopter, do buy your baby a push along toy. Cheap and cheerful and loads of entertainment. (Arney)
• For an alternative to crayons and plastic toys in party bags, why not add a packet of flower seeds. My daughter was delighted to plant some and watch as the flowers bloomed. (Suz1)
• Kids can sense when your attention is genuine. Stop what you are doing occasionally and take time out to notice what he is doing or saying- especially when he is not demanding attention. (shiv)
• Mix a drop of washing up liquid with powder paints before the little Michaelangelos begin their masterpieces. The debris will be much easier to clean up afterwards.
• Leave disposable cameras strategically placed around the house so you don't have to dash for the camera when you spot the perfect pic.
• On each of your child's birthdays buy the current number one single. On their eighteenth the full set will make the perfect gift. (The same trick works with newspapers.)
• Save any snaps that don't make the album. A toddler will love even the ones that are horribly out of focus. (Watch this space for advice on how to turn your pics into a home-made book.)
• Clapham Picture House runs a weekly morning screening where babies are welcome. Extra tip - if possible choose a film with subtitles in case you can't hear over the din! (Clapham Picture House, Venn St, London SW4 Tel 0207 498 3323).
• I always carry a 'busy bag' in my handbag for when my 2yr and I are kept waiting (e.g. doctor's surgery, bank queues) and he starts to climb the walls with boredom. It contains small items such as toy car, colouring pencils, small notepad, pocket etch-a-sketch, yo-yo, etc. Whipped out at the right time, it can keep him busy for a good 20 minutes: just long enough to prevent world war 3!
• Join your local library. They carry a great selection of board books and some will even loan out story and music tapes. It makes for a fun, wet afternoon outing and it's free!
• To make a 3 year old's school shoes recognisable write her initials on the inside of the shoe for adults to read and on the other side draw a flower or some other symbol that she will easily recognise.
• If your child doesn't like having their hair washed because the water goes in their eyes, try letting them wear swimming goggles - most kids think this is great fun!
• Before starting each and every painting session with kids make it a condition that they have to wear overalls (older brothers cast off shirts work well). Your furniture/ paintwork will appreciate it.
• When using poster paints, put one tea spoon of each colour in the base of an egg box. It stops the colours being mixed together and can be thrown away after the paint session. The egg box top can be used to rest the paint brushes in.
• Set aside at least 15 minutes per day to actively play with your child. Chose a time when you are going to have least interruptions and make sure the telly's off. If you don't do this, you find your days get filled with other things - washing, cooking etc.
• Write your child a birthday letter each year - telling them what they're like and how you feel about them. Keep the letters so that they and you can read them during the stormy adolescent years (and later). Particularly good tip for those like me who always meant to write a diary and then didn't have the time.
• If you subscribe to the baby magazines, enter the phone-ins. All you do is leave your address. I've won about 9 prizes doing this. It really cheers you up when you're stuck at home with a baby.
• Clean the bathroom while the kids are having their baths. This way I get something done and they can join in too. (Clairer)
• If your child has been naughty, try to involve her in putting it right e.g. if she's broken something get her to help you fix it. It helps build self-esteem and teaches her about consequences. (Clairer)
• Make sure you have a few tubes of bubble solution in your kitchen drawer. Blowing and catching bubbles is a great tantrum buster! (omicron)
• Buy flexible ice cube trays in bright colours and different shapes.They make super bath toys and are also good to use with play dough and pretend cooking. My children love them. (Bee)
• For family events, buy your older toddler a cheap disposable camera. We have some wonderful photos taken through our son's eyes - even if some are mummy with no head! We put them in an album and he is so proud. (Kes)
• Always play a certain piece of music when you want the children to help tidy up. When the music comes on they know what time it is and you don't have to keep repeating your request. (hmonty)
• My two year old loves 'personalised' nursery rhymes - 'This little piggy went to market, this little piggy went to Grandmas, playgroup' etc. There's also a version of 'The Wheels on the Bus' including 'Mummy on the bus says 'I need a coffee' 'Grandma..says' etc. (Theresa)
• We love eating out with the children but were a little dubious about taking them to the posh French restaurant we fancied. No problem! They took crayons and colouring books and were allowed to wear their artists' smocks (no dribbles of soup!). We had a lovely time and so did they! (Candy)
• For very easy cutting and sticking crafts for 2-4 year olds try: http://www.dltk-kids.com/crafts/cartoons/mjessee.html (this link takes you to a jesse from toy story made from toilet roll!) (carriemac)
• Organise a treasure hunt. Just write 10-15 clues (eg look in the place where you get your cereal) on strips of paper, with the last one leading to a packet of crisps, then sit back and read the paper. (allie)
• During the long school holidays, search out local events (preferably free or very cheap) for your child's age group and invite all her classmates to them. It makes sure that they don't forget each other. (CAM)
• If you're arranging children's sleepovers over the school holidays, aim for mid-week. Then you are free to go away at short notice at the weekends to make the most of any sudden heatwave. (TigerMoth)
• If you hang up your children's clothes, group them according to colour. As well as making a fun-looking rainbow in their wardrobe, individual items are easier and quicker to locate. (TigerMoth)
• I aways pack a small pencil case when we go out for the day so my 5 year old can take advantage of any family trails. Latest favourite is the new Feline Family Trail at the National Gallery. Just ask at the information desk. It produced our first ever wholly successful gallery trip. (Tyler)
• Rather than lying your baby on a cold plastic changing mat, cover it with a flannel / terry nappy or similar (Ikea do a pack of 10 flannels for about £2 that are ideal). It feels nicer for them and you've got something immediately to hand in case of accidents! (Elderberry)
• My 20 month old girl will watch any programme with babies on it. So I have made up a video with Childrens Hospital, baby documentaries etc and she has watched it about 15 times already. It gives me half a hour of quiet and she has learnt a whole new set of words like Look, baby born! (CK)
• If you have things to do and your baby is being demanding, try sitting her in-front of a mirror. Giving her a toy adds an extra dimension. It certainly beats the TV ! (BexM)
• If you're feeling poor post-Xmas, have a good rummage through all your coats, pockets, handbags and behind the sofa cushions for small change - you'll be amazed how much you'll find.
• Use nappy liners. They don't cost very much, they mean you can dispose of solids right into the loo and you don't have to use those awful nappy sacks, which seem to smell worse than the contents of the nappy. (Krab)
• If you have a small baby always pack your nappy bag with everything you need for the next day before going to bed no matter how tired you are. The next day may not be any better but at least you'll be organised enough to get out of the house for fresh air or company. (JoLyn)
• If you can possibly afford it, get a cleaner - even if it's only once a month/fortnight/in a blue moon. In my experience it's freed up some weekend time to spend together and stopped some of the fights about who cleans the loo. I know it's a luxury - but to me it's worth more than a night out!
• Invest in a coat with lots of pockets - then whenever you go out keep them stocked for every eventuality. l keep tissues, plasters, sweets, carton of juice, pen and scrap of paper and so on in mine. (nickyandtony)
• Scott loves his Gameboy but we don't like the sounds it emits, so we found an old pair of personal stereo headphones for it and now everybody is happy! (Hearty)
• If you feel you're losing it with your child try the following:get on your knees and see what your child is seeing;try to remember what it was like when you were small and adults were different, sometimes scary beings;remember, your child really loves you;count your blessings. (tracyg)
• If you arrive late for everything, set a kitchen timer for 10/15 minutes before you have to go out - just enough time to get to the door with (hopefully) everything you need. It's also good for encouraging children to share ie 10 minutes each with a toy. (Rhiannon)
• Set aside one special cupboard or shelf in your kitchen for all your toddler feeding cups/spoons/emergency jars of food/ medicines/ etc so you (and any babysitters) always know where to find things. (TigerMoth)
• Some people may say it is a luxury, but my must have is a cordless telephone. It was invaluable when my children were tiny and being breatfed, etc when I couldn't get up and it is even more useful now. I often have to chase after them when I'm on the phone! (Kazzerd)
• Never be too proud to ask for help, get as much sleep as you can and look your little ones in the eye every day and tell them how much you love them. (Axel)
• To keep the children entertained on supermarket trips I give them 'safe' items from the shopping to touch, feel, smell etc which keeps them amused most of the way around e.g. tins, packets. (mumsy)
• Instead of giving your toddler sharp metal keys to put in his mouth, fob him off with a set of plastic kitchen measuring spoons - the sort that are held together on a clip. I'm sure they don't give quite the same oral fix, but they seem to suffice and aren't as potentially dangerous. (absf)
• Don't feel guilty - when you sense yourself entering the downward spiral of guilt, please remind yourself that everyone would really hate you if you were perfect! (sis)
• I wanted to find a way to make sure my first son wasn't too upset by the arrival of his baby sister so I decided to make her voice when I brought her home from hospital. It helped them bond because he can chat to her and if he gets too rough she can ask them to be more gentle. Sounds a bit mad but it always lightens our mood! (Bland)
• If your baby screams and kicks whilst having their nappy changed, try giving them a mirror to hold, this sufficiently distracts them so you can change their nappy in peace! (LisaV)
• When my children (boy-five and girl-three) are not sharing, I use my kitchen timer (a chicken!) and tell them that when the chicken 'rings' they must hand over to the other. They both find this amusing and it seems to work. (Frances)
• Always buy more than one pair of patterned socks so you don't have to spend so much time looking for matching pairs and if you lose one of them you can still use the others. Same applies to gloves, earrings, hairslides etc.
• Now that my two year old refuses to lie down for nappy changes, I always get him to start doing something at his little play table (Play Doh, colouring, jigsaws etc). Once he's completely engrossed he barely notices when I whip his trousers down and change him! (MotherofOne)
• The Baby Mozart and Baby Bach videos are great if you need half an hour to get things done. They're educational and the babies are glued to them so you don't feel too guilty about putting them in front of the television. (Wiggs)
• If washing your child's hair is a real battle, try hanging one of their bath toys or a picture of their favourite character from the shower or on the tiles when it's time to rinse. My son stares up at it long enough to finish and as he is looking upwards he doesn't get shampoo in his eyes. (AllyJ)
• Don't be embarrassed by the occasional impromptu tantrum/exploding nappy/vomit/act of wanton destruction. Remember all those looking sniffy were kids themselves once.
• If you use non disposable nappies, use an old pair of barbecue tongs to transfer nappies to the machine. That way you won't have to handle them when theyre dirty. Keep the tongs for that purpose only!
• Use a safety nappy pin between the bottom back hem of a baby's trouser leg and the top back edge of a soft bootie. It stops all those retraced steps around Sainsbury's to find the one that fell off!
• If the smell lingers around the house after nappy change, position a few scented candles in strategic areas. Burn as often as necessary!
• Put a mirror over your baby's cot - those pull out shaving ones work well. We found it kept our 6 month year old amused in the mornings and gave us crucial extra lie-in time. (Nancy)
• Baby wipes aren't just good for bottoms. I use them for any sort of spills or baby-related stains on my clothes and furniture, and at the end of the day I use a wipe to remove any dirt/makeup. (mimmylemoo)
• Put nappies, cotton wool, wipes etc (i.e everything you have in your changing bag) into zip lock bags. Your bag stays tidier, it's easier to find things and if anything spills you dont end up with soggy nappies! (lucie)
• Dance with your baby from birth. It seems to quell any impending tantrums when they're older, the music calms them right down and the bad mood is forgotton. (kf)
• Mums of newborns are always advised to sleep when the baby sleeps. Not always so easy when there's lots of things to be done. So prioritise you time with your baby. Every time you go to do something while your newborn sleeps think is there some way I could do this with my baby awake?. If so, stop immediately. If that leaves you with no urgent tasks to do, sleep. (JoLyn)
• Take a tub of talc to the beach with you. When you want to leave but your children's feet and legs are still caked in sand, sprinkle the talc liberally over them. I don't know how it works but it magically makes the sand brush off painlessly (Theresa)
• Keep a small bottle of bubble mixture in various key locations: the house, the car, your handbag. It's a quick, versatile form of entertainment for rainy days inside, sunny days outside, or even when stuck in traffic jams. (Utka)
• If your youngster has a constantly streaming nose don't use tissues (the nose will get red and sore) use baby wipes. Much softer and kinder to noses, plus they get the sticky bits off. (Gwenick)
• If your children are forever stealing your house or car keys - get them a set of real keys of their own. (Cal)
• Cold, wet feet in wellies on cold days make miserable children. Pop plastic bags over the socks on each foot and secure with elastic bands. (binza)
• Use swimming goggles when hair washing to keep water and soap out of the child's eyes. You can also stick stars on the ceiling to encourage them to keep their heads tilted back. (sibble)